The City and County of San Diego have entered into a partnership with the United Way to house and treat 25 chronically homeless people.
The chronic homeless make up a small segment of the homeless population but consume a very large percentage of the costs to law enforcement and emergency medical services.
That's why San Diego is launching Project 25. Brian Maienschein is with the Home Again program of the United Way. He said the project will identify 25 chronic homeless and provide them with housing and services.
"The homeless provider will work with them to bring them in, and to immediately not just improve their lives but reduce their cost to all of the taxpayers of San Diego County," said Maienschein.
A study found that 15 homeless San Diegans consumed $1.5 million in medical services over a year and a half. One person landed in the emergency room 68 times in a single year. Maienschein said Project 25 will operate for three years and then be re-assessed.
